With the Patriots potentially being undefeated heading into their December 29 regular-season finale against the Giants on NFL Network, U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) wrote a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and National Cable & Telecommunications Association President & CEO Kyle McSlarrow urging the two sides to reach an agreement. The letter states in part, “I am writing to express my concern on behalf of football fans across the country who find themselves caught in the middle of a corporate standoff. While the [NFL] and a few major cable companies continue to blame each other for the current state of NFL Network carriage, too many American football fans are being held hostage. Unfortunately, this disagreement has led to the use of what could potentially be an historic football game as leverage in a negotiation." Kerry added, "I do not wish to interfere with these negotiations, and I hope that the two sides can come to an agreement. … I urge you to reach an agreement as soon as possible.”... NFL Senior VP/PR Greg Aiello said in a statement, “Commissioner Goodell welcomes the senator’s comments because we, too, want broad cable distribution for NFL Network. We agree that big cable companies should sit down and negotiate with us for distribution comparable to their own channels” (THE DAILY).
Now, a few things come to mind: The usual thought - Doesn't a United States Senator have better things to do with his time than worry about an damn NFL game? Why does he urge for a settlement in a football TV dispute when there has been a Hollywood writer's dispute that is far more impactful in the entertainment industry but probably doesn't have much of an effect on the voters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts?
And, if the Senate wants to get in on this debate, shouldn't they examine Pay per View ONLY availability of the major boxing matches? Boxing fans have one way to get the Mayweather-vs.-Hattan fight on Dec. 8th. Pay $54.99 to their local cable company. Senator Kerry is quoted as "they are holding fans hostage."
Well, what about the boxing fan in this country?
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I bet you heard it here first, even though it was reported in places like ESPN.com and the International Herald Tribune: The Syracuse entry in the ABA folded shop on Dec. 6. They were known as the "Raging Bullz." ... The name had created a fiasco in Syracuse back in the summer when they were known as "The Bullies." ... Seems Syracuse likes the image of a pulpy, squished, fat Orange much better than the images conjured up by the former ABA franchise.
Everyone's favorite ABA team, the Vermont Frost Heaves, started the year 6-0 but have fallen twice to the Manchester Millrats of New Hampshire. The Millrats came from 27-points back to get the win.
The owner of the Millrats pulled the cord on the Cape Cod Frenzy earlier this year:
Cape Cod Frenzy To Sit Out 2007-2008 Season
The Cape Cod Frenzy of the American Basketball Association (ABA) have decided to sit out the 2007-2008 season, in anticipation of a better venue. One such possible location is the new Hyannis Recreation facility being built on the site of the old JFK ice rink.
“We played in several different high schools last season, which wasn’t ideal for us, and the team deserves to play in one venue for its long team survival,” explains former Frenzy GM Ian McCarthy. “We made great strides in fielding a very competitive team. I believe that the team can build on that success, and with a home venue, can succeed in the long term here on the Cape.”
The Frenzy finished 10-22 in the rugged Blue-North conference in 2006-2007, a schedule that saw them face the 2006 champion and eventual 2007 champion a combined twelve times (Rochester and Vermont). The highlight of the season was a 168-140 thrashing of the Maryland Nighthawks and 7’9 Sun Ming Ming at Barnstable High School, along with Frenzy forward Rob Sanders being named to the All-ABA First Team and All Star game.
The Frenzy are planning to stay active and participate in community events, and marketing and build their business during the year off.
I vote D-League over ABA every day of the week.
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Only 20-something days until the Iowa Caucus. Best line ever - delivered by Marv Albert but written by esteemed colleague Ed Markey: As Marv's NBC sports production crew threw coverage of an NBA opener to its sideline reporter for a report and preview on game: "And now, we'll go to Ahmad Rashad, a man who thinks the Iowa Caucus is a CBA team."
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One of my favorite holiday traditions is to get with a very good friend and long-time cohort to pick each and every bowl game. We do it for the grand prize of $1 for each game until Jan 1. Then $5 for each of the major bowls.
Big stakes, I know. I hope the Feds or the NCAA doesn't come after us. Try it with a good friend or family member. You will see how much fun it is. We use a NY Post listing. Start with one pick each (you could call it a 'territorial' pick or just a game you really care about and want to root for one particular team. Then, with that done, we just alternate games - each getting first choice. Spreads count.
This year, we'll hold a special meeting to choose the games on Dec 12th. I will post my "teams" for everyone to see.
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The media is having some fun with Allen Iverson and George Karl, stating that Karl is calling Iverson "48" for his need to play the guard 48 minutes per game. Iverson seems to like the idea, although his teammates, Steven Hunter or Jelani McCoy, might not take to the nicknames of "4."
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A dear friend brought forth the following bit of Ivy League logic to the BCS championship equation:
The buzz since Saturday has been all about Harvard's amazing victory over Big Ten opponent Michigan in basketball but the inimitable Paul McNeeley just sent an email with this amusing thought:
Why Harvard should get a shot at this year's college football national championship title . . .
Ohio State lost to Illinois
Who lost to Michigan
Who lost to Appalachian State
Who lost to Wofford
Who lost to Elon
Who lost to Furman
Who lost to Hofstra
Who lost to Northeastern
Who lost to URI
Who lost to Fordham
Who lost to Bucknell
Who lost to Cornell
Who Harvard beat handily 32-15
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